V- Retail Assistant

Start your mission volunteer experience with The Salvation Army today

We are looking for compassionate people who share our mission and values, if you have the passion and drive to commit yourself to a challenging and rewarding role; we invite you to review our current vacancies.

ABOUT US

The Salvation Army is one of Australia’s largest and most-loved charities, helping thousands of Australians every year find hope in the midst of all kinds of personal hardship. The Salvation Army offers the opportunity to use your skills and expertise to make a real difference in the lives of people who need help most.

The Salvation Army Stores are vibrant places where great things happen: generous people donate amazing items, customers enjoy an ever-changing selection of goods, volunteers gain friendships and share experiences, all whilst raising much-needed funds to assist the most vulnerable in your community.

Retail Assistants play a key role in helping with sales, merchandising and quality control. They support the Store Manager in ensuring quality customer service on the shop floor, assisting in processing donations as well as maintaining the general appearance and upkeep of the store area. Together, Retail Assistants play a key role in fostering a culture of inclusiveness and community spirit amongst the team, which in turn enhances the customer experience in the store.

Key responsibilities:

- Customer Service:_ With your friendly and engaging personality, ensure all customers are warmly greeted and provide guidance to the store’s areas and inform of any specials. Also provide guidance and assistance to those who are donating items and to community members referred to the store for material aid support.
- Displays and merchandising:_ With the guidance of the store manager, ensure items are displayed attractively and safely. Bring your attention to detail to ensure thoroughfares are clear, and floors and displays are clean and fresh.
- Team work:_ Assist the point of sale team by helping customers carry their items to the sales counter where required. Assist the donation sorting team by bringing donations to the sorting area. Bring along your ideas, suggestions and concerns to the regular team meetings and join in on celebrations and special occasions.

Qualifications and skills (desired/required):
- Experience in retail, sales and customer service preferred but not mandatory as volunteers are always supported with on the job training.- Required to fully complete TSA mission volunteer induction, training and registration process.

Capabilities and personal attributes:
- Manage self: Shows personal motivation and commitment to completing work activities effectively.- Act ethically and with integrity: Is reliable and trustworthy and acts consistent with TSA vision, mission and values.- Show respect: Seeks input from others to better understand diverse perspectives and needs.- Display resilience: Remains open to new ideas and approaches.- Work collaboratively: Works as a supportive and cooperative team member, shares information and acknowledges the contribution and support of others.- Innovate and continuously improve: Shares ideas about ways to improve work tasks and solve problems; adopts improvements and innovations.

Training requirements:
One of the many ways we care for people is by ensuring our workers are well equipped with the necessary knowledge to complete their role safely. To successfully undertake this role, the following training is required:
- Category A training:_ Foundational training which includes an introduction to The Salvation Army, code of conduct training, work-safe and child-safe practices.

Work Health and Safety (WHS) considerations:
We take Work Health Safety and well-being seriously at The Salvation Army. We want to ensure volunteers are fully informed and aware of key safety considerations. For this role, key considerations include (but not limited to):
- Long periods of standing or walking around the store means Retail Assistants will be required to wear comfortable and supportive shoes and take regular breaks.- Receiving potentially heavy or inadequately packaged donations will require Retail Assistants to be fully briefed on correct manual handling procedures, including use of assistive and personal protective equipment.- As this role occasionally interacts with vulnerable people and potentially stressed community members, training will be provided.- This role requires up to date COVID vaccination.

Other WHS considerations will be covered during the induction.

Time Required & Commitment:
As agreed with manager.

Development opportunities with this role:
This role will give volunteers an opportunity to develop skills and build experience in retail practices, valuations of donations, sorting and stocking of shelves, as well as experience in working as a part of a team. Volunteers will receive on the job training and support, working alongside experienced retail professional